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Belcoo Win Tight U12s Opener

Belcoo U12’s made a winning start to their season with a fantastic victory against a good Teemore side on a wet Saturday evening in Teemore. All quarters of this contest were very evenly matched, the O’Rahilly’s though worked very hard and played some great football over the hour to run out deserved winners in the end on a score of 3-13 (19) to 1-7 (9).

From the start it was tight, both sides cancelling one another out with good pressure on every play and it took some 9minutes for the first score of the game. Oisin O’Loughlin’s pass picking out Josh Killilea who fired over. The same partnership combined moments later from a quickly taken free and Killilea once again split the posts. Teemore though would response before the end of Quarter 1 with Jack McGann pointing as Belcoo took a 0-2 to 0-1 lead into the first break.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern and Belcoo would win this period by the same score to move 0-4 to 0-2 ahead at half time. During this quarter there was some great pieces of play as Belcoo continued to make the correct decision on the ball, they were also working tigerishly to win back possession, captain Colum Higgins stealing the ball back a number of times with Dara Flanagan and Oisin O’Loughlin going well around the middle.

Defensively the O’Rahilly’s were rock solid, Jamie Ray was called into make one excellent save while Ciana McGrath made a superb and brave block to deny a certain goal. Sean Boylan was winning his battle while Conor McKeown was impressive before being moved upfield. Killilea would add his third of the day with Dara Flanagan kicking a fine score.

It was the third quarter where the O’Rahilly’s played some superb football, sweeping upfield with overloaded attacks to increase their tally. A seven minute spell seen the visitors hit 1-4, Conor McKeown was first on the scoresheet, an excellent point from the right wing. Josh Killilea would add two more points with a Dara Flanagan point sandwiched in between.

Again the O'Rahilly's were defending well when they had to, Niamh McAloon, Colum Higgins and Ciana McGrath continuing to do well. The O’Rahilly’s would hit their first goal in this period, Gerry Nolan with a composed finish when put through. Cian Murphy and Jack McGann knocked over late scores for Teemore but a clever flick from Emmett McGuinness allowed Josh Killilea to add another for Belcoo which left it 1-9 (11) to 0-5 at the end of Quarter 3.

Teemore would mount a rally in the early part of the final quarter, the hosts introduced some players from the Development Game which livened up their attack. James Maguire and Jack McCann hit points with Cian Murphy registering their goal.

Belcoo though continued to chip over points at the other end and knocked over their first score of the period with a super full length move involving a host of players. Sean Boylan done fierce well to turnover possession in the defence, he fed Colum Higgins who in turn shifted the ball to Oisin O’Loughlin, Dara Flanagan was coming off O’Loughlin’s shoulder at pace to take the ball and fire over a fine score from distance. This score ignited the O’Rahilly’s once more.

The hardworking Gerry Nolan would rattle two quick goals to claim a hat-trick on the day. His first having robbed the defender off possession before netting while the second was a fine finish into the top corner after another slick move upfield. Conor McKeown pointed another good effort while Emmett McGuinness knocked over on the right and left foot before the finish.

Eoin Corrigan and Patrick Martin entered the fray following the finish of the Development Game and both worked hard as the competitive game finished 3-13 (19) to 1-7 (9).

It was a wonderful team display during the course of what was a tough hour. Every player putting in a great effort to help the team secure the victory.

In the Development Game there was three 15minute periods and it was Belcoo who came out on top having produced some fine football in the first and third periods. Teemore bossed the second period but Belcoo regrouped to finish strong and run out winners by 9points.

From the outset Belcoo were the brighter and they started chipping over points straight away. Eoin Corrigan, Patrick Martin and Ben McNulty registering three early scores. The white flag continued to be waved as captain Áine Barrett fired over while Patrick Martin added two more before Eoin Corrigan again found the target.

While things were going well up front Lorcan Leonard was impressing in goals as was Niamh McAloon and Sinead Barrett in defense with Sam Martin setting up a number of scores for teammates. Teemore did register four scores but Belcoo finished the half with four of their own, Patrick Martin and Áine Barrett with a brace a piece. Quarter 1: Belcoo 0-11 v 0-4 Teemore.

Teemore upped their game in the second quarter and they outscored Belcoo 1-8 to 1-4 during this 15minutes. Áine Barrett continued to take the fight to the hosts, leading by example with a goal and point, Eoin Corrigan (2) and Aoife Keaney also on target. Again Lorcan Leonard made some smart saves with Ben McNulty working very hard to help his teammates as the lead had been cut to three points. End of Quarter 2: 1-15 to 1-12.

In the third and final quarter Belcoo restablished a strong grip on the game and they pushed on to win well. Patrick Martin and Eoin Corrigan firing in goals with both also registering points while Ben McNulty got forward to click over another.

Overall it was a fine display, youngsters Sinead Barrett and Sam Martin doing very well throughout, winning back ball and using it simply while the older players worked hard to ensure victory was secured.

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